Mme du Joncquoy, unable to recognize the various rooms, had come in through the dining saloon.

Mme Chantereau was gazing with a stupefied expression at the garden, which struck her as immense.
Presently there was a sound of low voices, and the corner gave vent to all sorts of bitter reflections.
"I declare," murmured Mme Chantereau, "just fancy if the countess were to return to life.

Why, can you not imagine her coming in among all these crowds of people! And then there's all this gilding and this uproar! It's scandalous!" "Sabine's out of her senses," replied Mme du Joncquoy.

"Did you see her at the door?
Look, you can catch sight of her here; she's wearing all her diamonds." For a moment or two they stood up in order to take a distant view of the count and countess.

Sabine was in a white dress trimmed with marvelous English point lace.